The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-07-15
WON'T VISIT ST. LOUIS,
Text Of the Presidents Letter Declining the In
TitatiOn to Be the City's Guest in Septem-
ber.
He Would DO Nothing to Disturb the Harmony
Of the q. A. Il. Men at Their Encamp.
ment.

who invited the president to visit st. Louis
during the holding Of the enCampment Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic, III Sep
tember, is published to-day:
Executive Mansion. Washington, July 4.
Hon. David X. Francis. Mayor and
Chairman Dear Sir: When l received the
extremely cordial and gratifying invitation
from the citizens OF st. Louis, rendered by
number Of her representative men, to
visit that city during the national encamp.
mcnt Of the Grand Army OF the Republic,
| had been contemplating for some time
the acceptance OF the invitation from that
organization to the same effect oud had
considered the pleasure which it would af-
ford me il it should he possible to meet,
not only members of the Grand Army, but
the people OF st. Louis and other cities
in the West which occasion would give
me an opportunity to visit. Thee Xactions
OF my public duties ! feel to be so uncer-
tain, however, that when first confronted
by the delegation, OF which you were the
head | expected to do no more at that
time than to promise consideration of the
double invitation rendered me, and to ex-
press the pleasure it would give me to ac-
cept the same thereafter, if possible. But
the COrdiality and sincerity OF your pres.
entation, reinforced by the heartiness OF
the people who surrounded you, so i'm
pressed me that I could not resist the feel
ing which prompted me to assure you on
the spot that l would be with you and the
Grand Army OF the Republic at the time
then designated, IL nothing happened
in the meantime to absolutely prevent
my leaving Washington. Immediately up
on the public announcement OF this con
ClusiOn, expressions emauating from GER
tain important members OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic and increasing in
volume and YiruleuCe. constrained me to
review my acceptance Of these invitations.
The expressions referred to go to the ex-
tent OF declaring that | would be an uu.
welcome guest at the time and place Of the
national encampment. This statement is
based as well as / can Judge, upon certain
official acts OF mine involving important
public interests, done under the restraints
and Obligations OF my oath OF office which
do not appear to accord with the wishes Of
some members OF the Grand Army ofthe Re
public. | refuse to believe that this or
ganization, founded upon patriotic ideas,
composed very largely OF men entitled to
lasting honor and consideration, and
whose crowning glory it should be that
they are American citizens as we'll as sold
iers, deems it a part OF it's mission to
compass any object or purpose by at
tempting to
INTIAIIDATE THE EXECUTIVE
or coerce those charged with making and
executing the laws; and yet, the expressions
to which | have referred indicate such
prevalence OF uniriendly feeling and such a
menace to an occasion which should be
harmonious, peaceful and cordial that
they can not beignored. / beg you to un-
derstand that | am not conscious OF any
act OF mine which should make me fear TO
meet the Grand Army of the Republic or
any other assemblage of my fellow citizens.
The account OF my official stewardship is
always ready for presentation TO my coun-
trymen. l should not be frank ii / Jailed |
to confess, while disclaiming all resentment
that have been hurt by those unworthy
and wanton attacks upon me, growing out
OF this matter, and the reckless manner in
which my ac$ions aud motives have been
misrepre sented, both publicly and private
ly--for which, however, the Grand Army
OF the Republic as body is not response |
BILE. Threats of personal violence and |
harm in case / take the trip in question
which scores ofmisguided, unbalanced men,
under stimulation OF excited feeling, i
have made--are not even considered. Rath- |
er than abandon my visit to the West, and |
disappoint yoar citizens, might If ! alone |
were concerned, submit TO insult to which, |
it is quite openly asserted, would be help |
lessly subjected II present ut the encamp- |
.aent, but should bear with me there the I
peoples highest Office, the dignity OF which |
j must protect, 'and believe that neither |
the Grand Army OF tho Republic, as an or.
ganization, nor anything like majority |
OF its members, would ever encourage any |
scandalous attack upon it. II, how
ever, among the membership Of this |
body there are some, as certainly seems |
to be the case, determined to de- /
nounce me and my official acts at the ma
tional encampment | believe they should |
be permitted to do so unrestrained by my /
..EA
or the guest OF the hospitable city inwhich |
their meeting is held. A number OF the |
Grand Army posts have signifed their in
tention, / am informed. to remain away /
from the encampment in case / visit the |
city ct that time.
LoTH TO CAUSE TROUBLE.
Without considering the merit ofsuch an /
excuse / feel that ought not TO be the |
cause Of such non-attendance. The time
and place OF the encampment were |
fixed long before my invitations were /
ticipate in its proceedings should be first /
regarded, and no being should be permitted |
tointeriere with theirinteptions. Another l
confederation, Of more Importance than
all others, remains to be noticed. The /
fact was referred to by you when you YER
baiiy presented the Invitation OF tii9 citi- /
zens Of st. Louis. that the coming encamp- /
AhDHp VI Vuc NThHu army Ot bbc h6pupuC Il
would be the first heldin Southern state. /
l suppose the TACT was mentioned as q 1
pleasing indietion Of the fraternal feeling /
50 fast gaining ground throughout the |
entire land and hailed BY every /
pstriotic citizen as an earnest that |
the Union has really. and in fact, been
saved in the seEtiment and spirit, with all |
the benefita IL vouchsafes to united pso.
pie. cannot rid myself OF the BELIEF that /
fho inaat Discard On fls{c x,rf,rfffrssa ~
caslon might retard the progress or the |
sentiment 81 common brotherhood. which /
the Grand Army of the Republic has so /
good an apportunikY to incronae and foa. L